Swimming - STOP Sports Injuries

Swimming is among the most popular low-impact fitness activities, with more than a million competitive and recreational swimmers in the United States.

Published on: 10/20/2016

More than one-third of these athletes practice and compete year-round. Elite swimmers may train more than five miles a day, putting joints through extreme repetitive motion. Most swimming injuries affect the shoulders, knees, hips, or back, depending on stroke.

What are most common swimming injuries?

Swimmer's Shoulder
The shoulder is the joint most commonly affected by swimming injuries or overuse. Shoulder injuries may include rotator cuff impingement — pressure on the rotator cuff from part of the shoulder blade or scapula as the arm is lifted. Biceps tendinitis (painful inflammation of the bicep tendon) and shoulder instability, in which structures that surround the shoulder joint do not work to maintain the ball within its socket, all can result from fatigue and weakness of the rotator cuff and muscles surrounding the shoulder blade.

Lower Body Injuries
Knee injuries that involve the tendons and ligaments (breaststrokers' knee) are common. Breaststrokers may also experience hip pain from inflammation of the hip tendons. Back problems, including lower back disk problems or another problem at the junction between the spine and pelvis, termed spondylolisis, may be increased by the dolphin kick often used in competitive swimming.

How can swimming injuries be prevented and treated?

Communication among athlete, parent, coach, and medical professional is critical to both swimming injury prevention and successful recovery

Use good stroke technique

Lessen repetitive strokes that are causing the overuse injury

Perform core strengthening and cross-training exercises as part of pre and early season routines

Consider alternative training techniques rather than training through an injury

Use periods of rest to recover

Focus rehabilitation efforts on rotator cuff and scapular strengthening for most shoulder injuries and pelvic and hip strengthening exercises for hip and knee injuries

Speak with a sports medicine professional or athletic trainer if you have any concerns about injuries or prevention strategies

The athlete should return to play only when clearance is granted by a health care professional

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